Based in the 1660&#39s of London&#39s theaters, this film is about the rules of gender roles in theatre production, and means to change them for everyone&#39s benefit. Ned Kynaston is the assumedly gay cross-dressing actor who has been playing female parts in plays for years, particularly Desdemona in Othello, he also has a close relationship with a member of the Royal Court, the Duke of Buckingham. One day however, the rules of only men playing women could change when aspiring actress Maria auditions as Kynaston&#39s praised role, Desdemona, and soon enough, King Charles II decides to make the law that all female roles should be played only by women. Maria becomes a star, while Ned finds himself out of work. But after a while, Ned finds it in his nature to forgive Maria&#39s aspiration, they may even fall in love, and Charles may proclaim women will be played by either gender.